Arrangement of life and treasure buoy for vessels



F. D. LEE.

Life Buoy.

No. 18,819. 88118111811 Dc. 8, 1887.-

N4 PETERS. Phnnrut nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS D. LEE, OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.

ARRANGEMENT 0F LIFE AND TREASURE BUOY FOR VESSELS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 18,819, dated December 8, 1857.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS D. LEE, of the city of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina., have invented a new and useful arrangement of a life and treasure buoy for the purpose of protecting the lives of passengers and crew and for the safety of bullion, mails, and other valuables, in case the vessel carrying the same should founder at sea; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The drawing represents the transverse section of a vessel (N showing the middle deck and O the upper deck) in which is placed a metallic air-tight chamber D, so arranged as t0 float in case the vessel founders.

An iron chest for treasure, &c., C is permanently attached to the bottom of the same and rests on the middle deck, and so arranged with guides p around its base as to allow the buoy an easy exit from the vessel. Attached to that portion of the buoy next above the deck and forming a flange around it, is an iron foot board E and around the upper edge lashings H, by which the passengers and crew `may secure themselves. Besides these other lashings may be arranged around the foot-board, and on the top of the buoy by means of which many more may be secured as the circumstances may require.

On the top of the buoy is a metallic box containing a smaller buoy of cork marked I, attached and surrounded by a coil of cord so arranged that in case some unforeseen accident may sink the larger buoy, the smaller one may float to the surface and mark the location of the lost treasure, provided it be sunk to such a depth as may insure its recovery.

The use of the buoy ordinarily is for a water-tank to the vessel, the water being reached by means of the pump K and the pipe L, but in case of the vessel being about to sink the water may be rapidly removed by means of the large cock M down to the point N, that below N being reserved for the use of the shipwrecked.

In case of destruction of a vessel by re, the buoy being non-combustible may still be used as a life and treasure preserver, the crew and passengers returning to it after the burning vessel has sunk.

In order to prevent all lateral motion to the buoy on the vessel under ordinary cir cumstances the pins O are used loosely litting and easily removed.

WVhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The arrangement of the buoy, provided with the means and appliances herein set forth in relation to the chest or safe, and indicating buoy, and the decks of the vessel as and for the purposes described.

FRANCIS D. LEE.

fitnesses THos. D. DEWEY, L. M. HOWARD. 

